News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
UCDD and the Tennessee Arts Commission awarded Clay County the Targeted Arts Grant to continue enhancements of Clay County’s historic courthouse.
UCDD Assistant Director for Economic and Community Development Virginia Alexander said the $3500 is just one way that Clay County hopes to further integrate arts into their community.
“They have some great talent, they have some really cool history and some really cool culture up in Clay County and so I feel like small grants like this, if the community can’t afford or can’t justify paying for, allows them to buy things that help them progress,” Alexander said.
The grant will be used to purchase sound and lighting equipment as the county works on its restoration process and developing the upstairs courtroom into a theater.
Clay County’s courthouse is one of the oldest courthouses still in operation in Tennessee, and Alexander said that in addition to some legal proceedings, Clay County has also been converting into a welcome center featuring different exhibits in partnership with Middle Tennessee State University.
Alexander said that in developing their courthouse, Clay County hopes to attract more visitors to downtown as well as make it something special for residents.
“They have been wanting to convert the upstairs into a theater, so it’s just a way to get people into the downtown,” Alexander said. “It’s right in the center of their downtown square, so they’re just wanting it to kind of be one of those grounding things for culture and history within the community.”
Alexander said that Clay County has received grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission before, and they were asked to apply so the Commission could further assist Clay County in funding.
